Mercenaries are nothing unusual in this world. In fact, the history of this profession can even be traced back to the dark ages of the Gondor Empire - no matter how dynasties change and civilizations rise and fall, it seems that people always need this. A group of armed men wandering in the gray area to fill the gaps in the functioning of society. They are the "bloody gloves" of the nobles and the "money warriors" of the businessmen. When there is a lack of employers, they are the "bloody gloves" of the mountains and wilderness. Desperado.
Mercenaries are legal and even have formal guilds and a rough registration system, but almost every mercenary has done illegal things, but so what? In this barbaric and backward world, "law" itself is not a bright and just thing...
According to the news sent back by the spies, about twenty well-equipped mercenaries were eyeing the man with It is a refugee settlement with a population of hundreds, and there are at least three low-level knights and one or two mages sitting in it. Even if the others do not have professional levels, their combat effectiveness should be better than that of ordinary soldiers. This kind of "elite gathering" mercenaries The corps was really rare in this industry, which aroused Gawain's great curiosity and suspicion. In order to destroy these mercenaries who did not follow the rules, Gawain quickly ordered the knight Philip to organize a force of thirty people and prepare Personally lead the team to "go on an expedition".
No matter where those mercenaries come from, they are threatening the refugees on this land, which is also threatening the future population security of Cecil Territory. Gawain will not allow this situation to develop— —That’s all labor force!
A legendary knight brought thirty fully armed Cecil combat soldiers to deal with twenty mercenaries. This seemed like a bit of a fuss, but Gawain had his own intentions:
Those thirty fully armed Cecil combat soldiers are all the new generation of "magic infantry" who have just completed the change of equipment - amidst the roar of the machines in the machinery manufacturing plant, the first batch of standard magic weapons have already Walking off the production line, thirty soldiers were equipped with brand-new thermal energy ray guns and magic energy combat backpacks, and underwent basic shooting and cooperation training. This is a quite young force, even if half of the members are veterans, They also have little experience with new weapons, but Gawain believes that these new warriors who can fire high-energy beams at will are definitely more effective than traditional soldiers, so he wants to put these soldiers to the test in actual combat.
Thirty "magic infantry" gathered on the south bank of the Baishui River. Behind them was the bridge that was completed not long ago and was temporarily used to connect the two sides of the river. The citizens who came after hearing the news ——Including the serfs and slave laborers who had recently entered the territory and had not yet obtained the status of free citizens, they all gathered nearby, curiously looking at this army that was very different from their impressions.
Those soldiers were neatly dressed in enchanted light armor with basic strengthening magic. Each soldier wore a strange-shaped steel arm guard on his left hand, and carried a traditional military bag on his back. A new generation of hard combat backpacks. The enchanted long swords and spare swords are fixed on their waists and sides of the backpack with iron buckles. It looks likeCome majestically.
Gawain has trained these soldiers for a long time with strict discipline and reward and punishment systems, and they themselves know that it is a special honor to be the first batch of "Magic Infantry", so at this moment, each of them Standing upright, even if there were a lot of civilians pointing at this side with envy and wonder in the distance, none of them turned their heads.
Knight Philip stepped forward: "Sir, the soldiers and supply convoy have been assembled and ready to go at any time."
Gawain nodded and glanced at Amber next to him - -This time, except for Amber and Phillip, he did not bring more people. He believed that with thirty magic infantry, plus his own pressure, a mere twenty mercenaries would not be able to cause much trouble: "Then we will..."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed some faint commotion among the civilians in the distance, and a loud voice came from the crowd: "Let someone Give way, give way... Thank you Holy Light for giving me a chance... Holy Light, you stepped on my toes... Thank you for giving me a step, for the sake of Holy Light..."
高Wen was shocked to see the crowd split in the middle, and then the Schwarzenegger-type preacher named Wright was running all the way towards this side.
He was wearing the worn-out Holy Light Priest robe. The ill-fitting robe clung to his body a little tight, and the muscle lines all over his body could hardly be concealed as they bulged out from under the robe - looking at It was as if he was going to find a few infidels and die together.
"Holy Light! I'll come..." Wright ran to the front of the army and looked up at Gawain on the horse, but he was stunned as soon as he said a few words, "Is it you? You Isn’t it... the person in charge of the construction site?”
Because he didn’t get Gawain’s permission, no one told the missionary for so many days that the lord of this land was with him that day. The big man sitting on the pile of bricks chatting...
Gawain did not expect to meet him again under such circumstances, and his identity could not be hidden, so he nodded with a smile: " I didn’t lie to you at that time, I was indeed in charge of this land—the lord is also in charge, right?”
“Holy Light! Are you the lord of this land?” The legendary Gawain Cecil who was so angry that he jumped out of the coffin!" Wright exclaimed, drawing the symbol of the God of Light on his chest, "I thought you were the Foreman! "
Gawain: "..."
The knight Philip next to him suddenly pulled out his sword: "Preacher! Pay attention to your words and deeds..."< /p>
"Ahem," Gawain quickly blocked Philip's upcoming request for a duel, "Don't get excited, this... is still one of the rumors I asked Byron to spread..."
Amber rolled his eyes: "It's your own fault. I'm not sure how many folk versions will continue to ferment in the future."
Philip & Gawain: "..."
After an awkward moment, GawainHaving to divert everyone's attention, he looked at Wright: "I'm sorry for not telling you my true identity when we first met. I just wanted to talk to you as an ordinary person so that you can understand the clergy of this era. "
"It's understandable, this is a cautious and wise move," Wright smiled freely, "It seems that I don't have to worry about whether my documents are really sent to the lord. Go."
Gawain twitched his lips and looked at the missionary curiously: "Why did you come to me? You should be able to tell that we are about to go on an expedition."
< p>"That's why I'm here," Wright straightened up immediately, "I hope to set off with you."This surprised Gawain: "Why? You are not mine. Soldiers, not lord advisors, why do you want to go with us?"
"How can the army set off without a chaplain?" Wright said matter-of-factly, "And as the only Holy Light here now? Church Priest, I have an obligation to use my power to help everyone on this land, especially when practicing justice - I heard that you are going to rescue a group of people who are starving in the wilderness. Refugees, I have no choice but to go for this kind of thing."
Gawain couldn't help but frown - everything the other party said was in line with the teachings and people's moral concepts, but in this era, these teachings are really taken seriously. How many priests are there in the Holy Light Church? This guy...no wonder he was kicked out of the church in the central parish.
Even just thinking about it, Gawain could guess how unpopular this guy with all the wrong looks was in the church.
But Philip next to him, who was also devout and practiced chivalry, greatly appreciated Wright's speech. This young and rigid knight seemed to have forgotten that he had just drawn his sword and planned to fight with the opponent. At this time, he He praised: "What an upright man's speech, Pastor Wright. Not only are you a good priest, but you also have the spirit of chivalry!"
Gawain looked at Wright up and down, and thought quickly in his mind.
According to his first reaction, he wanted to reject this weird Holy Light Priest.
Military operations, even small operations to annihilate a wave of mercenaries, should be rigorous and serious. A Holy Light Priest who suddenly asked to "jump in line" made Gao Wen instinctively feel inappropriate, but in After thinking for a moment, he felt that it was okay to take this priest with him.
Perhaps this is a good opportunity to observe the other party, and what Wright said is indeed true - military chaplains are necessary.
Although the soldiers all brought healing potions prepared by Pittman and his assistants, it would be better to have a professional healer in the team. The old druid was currently adding plant-promoting potions. The key tests for mass production are not available, and Wright can fill this gap.
As long as the priest can obey the command.
"Don't worry, this is not my first time serving as a chaplain," Wright heard.Hearing Gawain's request, he smiled confidently, "Although the central region is peaceful, lords often organize armies to exterminate bandits and monsters in the mountains. I am often sent by the church to serve as an army chaplain, and I am very familiar with all this."
Gawain looked at the tendons all over the body of the priest, and wondered whether he was accompanying the army or leading the charge...
Finally, another member of the team joined in. A strange Holy Light priest.
With the leaders watching, the team set off.
At the same moment, across the mountains and wilderness on the north side of the Baishui River, past the hungry refugees in the wilderness and the greedy thugs who regard the refugees as prey, the family castle inherited by the Kant family for generations appeared. Just like in the past hundreds of years, it still stands quietly on the hills next to "Quilin Town".
This glorious family has ruled this land for more than three hundred years. Before the Cecil family declined, it already existed here as a rare "independent noble" in the south. After the decline of the Cecil family, the Kande family was lucky enough to escape the storm that overturned the situation in the entire southern region. It is still firmly rooted here and continues to this day.
Three hundred years are enough to polish the most glorious and majestic fortress in the past. Even after many renovations and repairs, Kant Castle will inevitably show its vicissitudes of life. Traditional long and narrow windows are set high in the thick stone walls, filling every room in the castle with shadowy darkness even at noon.
The already old Viscount Victor Conde was sitting in his study. A little sunlight poured into the room from the narrow window behind him, making his stooped body look even more gloomy. He lowered his head and turned over the book. Looking at the pile of parchment he had just finished writing, the paper was filled with symbols of unknown meaning and words that seemed like graffiti. Then he raised his head and looked at the butler who was as old as him: "Mr. Carter, those 'hounds' "Have you found a new prey?"
"Yes, sir," the old housekeeper bent slightly, "In the mountains and forests to the south, there is a group of malnourished homeless people. He knows his upcoming fate - but the hounds haven't taken action yet."
"They want money, more money," Victor Kant's head trembled, as if. He was angry, but his tone was smiling, "Dogs need food rewards to work hard for their owners, and the same goes for dogs with two legs... Then give them 'food'. Mr. Carter, send someone to bring it. Go find those hounds with your money bag and tell them to hurry up and bring those refugees to me - if they delay any longer, there will be no next cooperation. It is the Frost Moon, and they should know very well that they can earn this. There are not many opportunities to grow money."
"Yes, sir."
The old butler left, and Victor Kant lowered his head again and immersed himself in the chaos. Among the symbols and lines, the midday sun shines into the study through the narrow window with difficulty, as if separated by a thick and dense layer of mystery.Dark and blurry like fog.
And in this dim and blurry sunlight, Victor Kant’s shadow was stretched out on the desk. The shadow was shadowy and shadowy, not like a humanoid...